Rotary drilling apparatus



Dec. 12, 1944. H. c. JoHANsEN ROTARY DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 1, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. l2, 1944. H. c. .JOHANsEN ROTARY DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 1, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 12, 1944. H. c. JoHANsEN ROTARY DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 1, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ....wlGlla i 4 sheets-sheet 4 H. C. JOHANSEN ROTARY DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Deo. l, 1941 Dec. 12, 1944.

Petenled Dee. 12, 1944 2,364,850

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTARY DRILLING APPARATUS Harry C. Johansen, Michigan City, Ind., assigner to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application December l, 1941, Serial No. 421,123 8 Claims. (Cl. Z55-22) This invention relates to drilling apparatus, and being had to the accompanying drawings. in more particularly has reference to improvements which:

in a rotary oil well drilling apparatus of the port- Fig. l is a side elevational view oi a drilling apable type. paratus in which an illustrative embodiment of In rotary oil well drilling apparatus, it is de- 6 the invention is incorporated.

sirable to maintain the top of the rotary table Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the drilling clear for the usual rotary drilling operations, and apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

to provide for this itis necessary to arrange the Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view,

drillfeeding mechanism below the rotary table. with parts in elevation, taken through the i'eed- When a conventional form of hydraulic feeding l ing mechanism and rotary table, substantially on mechanism is employed upon a portable drilling the plane of line 3 8 of Fig. 1.

apparatus, the feed cylinders. when the feeding Fig. 4 is an enlarged view in longitudinal vermechanism is arranged below the rotary table, tical section taken substantially on line I-l o! will project downwardly with their lower ends Fis. 2.

very close to the ground surface over which the l5 Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view apparatus travels during transport. With the taken substantially on line I-l ot Fig. l.

feed cylinders so disposed, the same will interfere Fig. 6 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view with proper transport of the apparatus particutaken substantially on line I-l of Fig. 1. lax-1y when traveling over rough ground. since Fig. 1' is a vertical sectional view taken on the there is danger of the feed cylinders striking ob- 5 plane of line 3 3 of Fig. 1, showing the feed pisstacles. possibly resulting in injury to the ap. tons blocked in raisedpositi paratus; and it is therefore necessary to elevate Pis- 8 is Sectional View. Similar t0 F18- 7. the feeding mechanism to provide i'or additional showing the feed cylinders blocked in raised Dosiroad clearance before sate and rapid transport tion.

of the apparatus over rough ground surfaces is 95 In its illustrative construction the invention is feasible. In such well drilling apparatus. il; is incorporated in a rotary 011 well drilling apparaelso desirable at times te remove entirely me we 0f the pombletrpe. althoushitwlbeunderfeeding mechanism and rotary table from the stood that the invention, at least from certain of l drill frame, es, for instance. dui-lng setting of its aspects. may be associated with other types weil casing, 0f drilling apparatus.

It 1S primary obiect of the present invention The drilling 39mm dimmed COIIIDIISGS 8h i0 provide a portable rotary ou wen drmmg automobile truck i having a platform 2 on which rama which l, the drill is moun The drill includes a rotary pa no only has the top of the rotary s me 4. h g

table clear but also may have its feeding mechmechanism I feed-in anism elevated during transport to provide for mechanism i a' mud pump l and a dem mast 1 ad The derrick mast is pivoted at l on a supporteyliuate To c Another object is t0 i118 frame structure 9 mounted on the truck plat- ?ro thde :n impmved mmm muuu structure form and isswingsbie ln a vertical direction shouf orpar: ceding mech of a rotary drmmg its pivot from its lowered transport position shown w tus whereby the feeding mechanism may in full lines in Fis 1 to its raised operative polsibe elevated Yet mth me s t Widen tion shown in dotted lines in that ligure The imeephmavnedmsupponmg structure for the f g mast carries near its top a usual sheave l0 around m of a rotary arming apparatus A which the hoisting cable," wound on a holst. tummeraorybject is to provide a f I g mechanism i!!! drum i2. may be extended, in a well known and table which my'bel "muy mpely 46 manner. Hydraulic Jacks Il arranged at the removed from their suppo structure as' for Opposite sides o! the truck platform for swinginstance, to enable setting of well casings. A ing the derck mast abot pivot The drm suundifnm the! object is t provide n impmved drm may be driven from the truck engine through a f g and rotating mechanism hving novel al" suitable power take-oil' including shutting Il l nements and mbmum f Darm 30W 50 (Fis, 5) through any appropriate connections, these and other objects are accomplished, and the and herein the mums u is connected through mmm feature f the illveniiimwill be bevel sealing it te a transverse shaft il suitably best understood from the following detailed dejoumaied within the drill frame I1. Connectible endless drive chain 2l to a sprocket Il secured to the drive shaft Il (Fig. 6) of the hoisting drum l2. Keyed to the shaft Il and driven thereby is a chain sprocket It connected by an endless drive chain I4 to a chain sprocket 2l. This chain sprocket is suitably iournaled within the drill frame and has splined thereto an axially movable "clutch shaft 2l connectible to a suitable coupling 21 secured to a shaft Il. The shaft 2l is herein arranged l with the shaft Il and is likewise iournaled within the drill frame. The shaft It has secured thereto and drives a bevel gear I9 meshing with a bevel gear al (Figs. 4 and having its hub iournaled within a cross frame I I which is supported by the frame I and adapted to be raised and lowered relative to the latter. as later described. Splined within the hub of the bevel gear is an axially movable shaft 32 (Fig. 4) which is journaled within a vertically reciprocable crosshead frame u arranged above the cross frame 3|. This splined shaft has a tubular casing 3l secured to the cross frame 3i. The splined shaft 32 is movable vertically with the crosshead frame 3l and. due to its splined connection with the hub of the bevel gear Il. is always connected in driven relation with the bevel gear. Keyed to the shaft l! is a chain sprocket Il (Fig. 4) connected by an endless drive chain Il, arranged within the crosshead frame, to a chain sprocket 81 secured to a rotary table al. The rotary table is ioumaled within bearings supported within the crosshead frame 33 and has a central opening Il in which is received a drive bushing Il. L This drive bushing carries conventional slips li adapted to grip a conventional drill stem l2 passing centrally through the opening of the rotary table. This drill stem is attached to the usual drill rod line by which the drill bit is carried.

The feeding mechanism I comprises parallel feed cylinders Il, Il arranged vertically on and carried by the cross frame si and containing reciprocable feed pistons 4l having their piston rods Il extending upwardly through the top cylinder heads ll. 'Ihese cylinder heads are formed integral with the cross frame 3i. The piston rods Il are secured at their upper ends. as at I1, to the opposite sides of the crosshead frame Il, so that the latter is suppvrted by the feed pistons. Liquid under pressure may be supplied to the opposite ends of the feed cylinders Il through suitable pipe connections and Il under the control of a usual valve mechanism (not shown) from any suitable source of liquid pressure supply. From the foregoing it is evident that when the clutch it is connected the hoisting drum i2 may be rotated in a direction to wind in the hoisting cable Il. and when the shlftable spiined clutch" shaft Il is connected to the coupling 21 the rotary table ll may be rotated to effect rotation of the drill stem I2, in the manner well understood by those skilled in the art. When liquid under pressure is supplied to one end or the other of the feed cylinders the feed pistons Il may be moved to effect vertical movement of the crosshead frame 88, and, as a result, the drill stem l! may be moved axially with the rotary table. in an obvious manner. the usual rotary drilling opcranons, the drill stem may slide axially through the table bushing while-it is concurrently rapidly rotated by the table. but at times the hydraulic feed piston may be operated to control therateofaxialfeedof thedrilisteniandmay beoperatedto raisethedrillstemwiththetable. 'l'hehoistingcablelimaybeattachedtothe upper end of the drill stem in a well mown manner, to effect raising and lowering of the stem through the rotary table. for instance during handling of the drill rod line. As the mode oi operation of a rotary drilling apparatus of the type disclosta'l is well known to those skilled in the art. further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

Now referring to the improved' mounting structure for the feeding mechanism whereby the latter may be raised to increase the road clearance during traveling of the drilling apparatus, it will be observed that the feed cylinders ll are slidably received in vertical bores ll in lugs il integral with the drill frame l1. When the feedlng mechanism is in its lowered operative position on the drill frame, the feed cylinders 43 extend downwardly beneath the rotary table with their lower ends in close adiacency to the ground surface. as shown in Figs. l, 2 and '1, and the feed cylinders may be held rigid with respect to the drill frame by eye-bolts l2 pivoted at B8 on the drill frame and receivable in slots Il in lateral lugs 5B integral with the cross frame 3 I. The eyebolts have tightening nuts I8 threaded thereon. and these nuts when tightened rigidly clamp the feed cylinders in stationary position, with the cross frame ll resting ,on the top of the drill frame. With the parts thus disposed, liquid under pressure may be supplied to the feed cylinders to move the feed pistons, thereby to effect feeding of the crosshead frame and rotary table in a vertical direction, and, as a result, the drill rod line may be raised or lowered as desired. It is accordingly evident that the drill rod line may be rotated by the table either as it is fed with the table or as it slides axially through the table. To increase road clearance during travelling of the apparatus, the eye-bolts may be released and liquid under pressure may be supplied to the lower ends of the feed cylinders to effect raising of the feed pistons to the positions shown in Fig. 7. Blocks or spacer elements l1 may then be placed between the crosshead frame I3 and the drill frame l1, in the manner shown. to hold the feed pistons in raised position. Liquid under pressure may then be supplied to the upper ends of the feed cylinders to effect movement of the latter vertically within their guide bores relative to the then stationary cylindsrs and the cross frame 3| to the position shown in Fig. 8. Blocks or spacer elements il may then be placed between the lateral lugs i5 on the cross frame 3| and the drill frame I1 to hold the feed cylinders, frame Il, and tubular casing Il in raised position. With the feed cylinders, etc. so elevated. the road clearance is increased so that the drilling apparatus may travel over an uneven ground surface without the danger of the cylinders striking come obstacle. If desired, suitable clamping means may be provided to hold the feed cylinders and associated parts in raised position during transport. Also. thefeedcable ii maybeattachedtoapartof the feeding mechanism. so that the hoisting mechanism may be used to raise the feeding mechanism, instead oi the hydraulic feed cylinders.

At times it is desirable to remove completely the feeding mechanism from the drill frame, for instance. during setting of,well casing which is of a diameter larger than the central opening of the rotary table. Removal of the feeding mechanism from the drill frame may be accomplished simply by attaching the hoistingcable Il to a feed pistons, raising the part of the feeding mechanism so that when the cable is wound in by the hoisting drum the entire feeding mechanism may be raised as a unit from its mounting on the drill frame. To withdraw the cylinders Il from the lugs I the lower feed connections 49 would. of course, have to be removed, or the lugs must be slotted to permit passage of the connections 49. In a similar manner, the hoisting mechanism may be employed to replace the feeding mechanism on the drill frame.

As a result of this invention it will be noted that an improved rotary oli well drilling apparatus of the portable type is provided wherein the top of the rotary table is not only kept clear but also adequate road clearance is provided during traveling oi' the apparatus. It will also be evident that by the provision of the improved mounting structure for the feeding mechanism the latter may be arranged with its feed cylinders beneath the rotary table during the drilling operation and may be raised on its mounting structure to increase road clearance during traveling of the apparatus. It will also be noted that by the provision of the improved mounting structure for the feeding mechanism the latter may be removed as a unit from the drill frame to facilitate setting of well casing. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be clearly ap parent to those skilled in the art. v

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice. it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the anpended claims.

What I claim as new and deslr`e to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a drilling apparatus, a portable base adapted to travel over a ground surface, fluid operated drill feeding mechanism on said base including cooperating relatively reciprocable, relatively upright, feed cylinder and piston elements, means associated with one of said elements for holding the same during normal drilling operations in a relatively upright position on said base with its lower end near the ground level, means for holding the other of said elements at will in a relatively elevated upright position and against downward movement, and means for supplying tluid to said elements mentioned element is so held stationary.

to effect drill feed. one of said feeding elements being guided for vertical movement on said base and normally during operation of the feeding mechanism being stationary with respect to said base in a position wherein its lower end is disposed near the ground surface, releasable means for holding said normally stationary feeding element against vertical movement with respect to said baseand releasable to permit free vertical movement of said element upwardly with rpect selectively to effect downto said base, and means for holding said normally movable feeding element in raised position and against downward movement with respect to said stationary feeding element whereby upon supply of operating fluid thereto said normally stationary feeding element may be raised vertically with respect to said base to increase the clearance of its lower end with respect to the ground surface.

3. In a drilling apparatus, a portable base adapted to travel over a ground surface, fluid operated drill feeding mechanism on said base including cooperating relatively reciprocable, vertically disposed, feed cylinder and piston elements operative upon supply of operating fluid thereto to eect drill feed, one of said feeding elements being guided for vertical movement on said base 8nd normally during operation of the feeding mechanism being stationary with respect to said base in a position wherein its lower end is disposed near the ground surface. releasable means for holding said normally stationary feeding eleismonsaid vertically disposed. feed -4 accesso cylinder andplston elemente operative upon suptaining a reciprocahle reed piston and operative ply or operating duid thereto to eifect drill feed, upon supply o! operating medium to said cylinsaid rotating element moving with the drill so der to edect movement of said feed piston to guided said base and being normally stationary on said base with its lower end dislwld near the ground surface, releasable means lor holding said normally stationary feeding element against movement with respect to said base and releasable to free said element for vertical movement in an upward direction. releasable means for holding said normally movable i'eeding element against downward movement with respect to said base to hold said element and said drill rotating element in raised position whereby upon supply of operating duid thereto said normally stationary feeding element may be raised with to said base to increase the clearance of its lower end with respect to the ground surface. and releasable means for holding said normally stationary feeding element in its raised position with respect to said base.

6. In a drilling apparatus, a portable base adapted to travel over a ground surface, fluid operated drill feeding mechanism on said base including a vertical feed cylinder extending downwardly with respect to said base with its lower end disposed near the ground surface and oontaining a reciprocable feed piston and operative upon supply of operating medium to said cylinder to eect movement of said feed piston to feed a drill toward the work, releasable means for holdlill said feed cylinder in a stationary position on said base during the feeding operation and releasable to free said cylinder for vertical upward movement with respect to said base. and means for holding said feed piston in its raised position in said feed cylinder and against downward movement with respect to said base whereby upon supply oi' operating fluid to said cylinder the latter may be raised with respect to said base to increase the clearance of its lower end with respect to the ground surface.

'1. In a drilling apparatus. a portable base adapted to travel over a ground surface, fluid operated drill feeding mechanism on said base including a vertical leed cylinder extending downwardly with respect to said base with its lower end disposed near the ground surface and conmovement 0n leedadrilltowardthework. emeans for holding said feed cylinder in a stationary position on said base during the feeding operation and releasable to tree said cylinder for verrespect to said base. in its raised position in said feed cylinder and against downward movement with respect to said base whereby upon supply of operating duid to said cylinder beraised with respecttosaidbase to increase the clearance of its lower end with respect to the ground surface, and meam for holding said cylinder in its raised position and against downward movement with respect t0 said base during traveling of the apparatus.

8. In a drilling apparatus, a portable base adapted to travel over a ground ace. drill rotating mechanism on said base including a drill rotating element movable vertically with respect to said base, duid operated drill feeding mechanism on said base including a vertical feed cylinder extending downwardly with its lower end disposed near the ground surface and containing a reciprocable feeding piston and operative upon supply of operating medium downward movement of satd piston and said drill rotating element to feed a drill toward the work during drill rotation. releasable means for holding said cylinder in a stationary position on said base during the feeding operation and releasable to free said cylinder for vertical upward movement with respect to said base, means for holding said feed piston and said drill rotating element in their raised position with respect to said feed cylinder and said base and against downward movement with respect to said base whereby upon duid supply to said cylinder the lattermayberaisedwithrespecttosaidbitse` said cylinder being movable inta a position wherein the clearance of its lower end with respect to the ground surface is increased, and means for holding said cylinder in its raised position and against downward movement with respect to said base during traveling of the apparatus.

HARRY C. JOHANBEN.

CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No. 2,5LHB50 .i

December 12, 19141;.

HARRY C JOHANSEH.

It 1s hereby certified that `'ex-rola' appears in the of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

" read apparatus;

ond column, line 2627,for

column, line 65, claim il.,

"apparatus 72, for "piston" read -pistons; page 5 before lMolding," insert two; and that the said letters printed specification Page 1, secpage 2, first second column, line Patent should be read with iiils correction ytherein that the same may confom (Seal) to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Leslie Frazer Acting Commissioner of Patents.

thereto w effectA -4 accesso cylinder andplston elemente operative upon suptaining a reciprocahle reed piston and operative ply or operating duid thereto to eifect drill feed, upon supply o! operating medium to said cylinsaid rotating element moving with the drill so der to edect movement of said feed piston to guided said base and being normally stationary on said base with its lower end dislwld near the ground surface, releasable means lor holding said normally stationary feeding element against movement with respect to said base and releasable to free said element for vertical movement in an upward direction. releasable means for holding said normally movable i'eeding element against downward movement with respect to said base to hold said element and said drill rotating element in raised position whereby upon supply of operating duid thereto said normally stationary feeding element may be raised with to said base to increase the clearance of its lower end with respect to the ground surface. and releasable means for holding said normally stationary feeding element in its raised position with respect to said base.

6. In a drilling apparatus, a portable base adapted to travel over a ground surface, fluid operated drill feeding mechanism on said base including a vertical feed cylinder extending downwardly with respect to said base with its lower end disposed near the ground surface and oontaining a reciprocable feed piston and operative upon supply of operating medium to said cylinder to eect movement of said feed piston to feed a drill toward the work, releasable means for holdlill said feed cylinder in a stationary position on said base during the feeding operation and releasable to free said cylinder for vertical upward movement with respect to said base. and means for holding said feed piston in its raised position in said feed cylinder and against downward movement with respect to said base whereby upon supply oi' operating fluid to said cylinder the latter may be raised with respect to said base to increase the clearance of its lower end with respect to the ground surface.

'1. In a drilling apparatus. a portable base adapted to travel over a ground surface, fluid operated drill feeding mechanism on said base including a vertical leed cylinder extending downwardly with respect to said base with its lower end disposed near the ground surface and conmovement 0n leedadrilltowardthework. emeans for holding said feed cylinder in a stationary position on said base during the feeding operation and releasable to tree said cylinder for verrespect to said base. in its raised position in said feed cylinder and against downward movement with respect to said base whereby upon supply of operating duid to said cylinder beraised with respecttosaidbase to increase the clearance of its lower end with respect to the ground surface, and meam for holding said cylinder in its raised position and against downward movement with respect t0 said base during traveling of the apparatus.

8. In a drilling apparatus, a portable base adapted to travel over a ground ace. drill rotating mechanism on said base including a drill rotating element movable vertically with respect to said base, duid operated drill feeding mechanism on said base including a vertical feed cylinder extending downwardly with its lower end disposed near the ground surface and containing a reciprocable feeding piston and operative upon supply of operating medium downward movement of satd piston and said drill rotating element to feed a drill toward the work during drill rotation. releasable means for holding said cylinder in a stationary position on said base during the feeding operation and releasable to free said cylinder for vertical upward movement with respect to said base, means for holding said feed piston and said drill rotating element in their raised position with respect to said feed cylinder and said base and against downward movement with respect to said base whereby upon duid supply to said cylinder the lattermayberaisedwithrespecttosaidbitse` said cylinder being movable inta a position wherein the clearance of its lower end with respect to the ground surface is increased, and means for holding said cylinder in its raised position and against downward movement with respect to said base during traveling of the apparatus.

HARRY C. JOHANBEN.

CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No. 2,5LHB50 .i

December 12, 19141;.

HARRY C JOHANSEH.

It 1s hereby certified that `'ex-rola' appears in the of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

" read apparatus;

ond column, line 2627,for

column, line 65, claim il.,

"apparatus 72, for "piston" read -pistons; page 5 before lMolding," insert two; and that the said letters printed specification Page 1, secpage 2, first second column, line Patent should be read with iiils correction ytherein that the same may confom (Seal) to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Leslie Frazer Acting Commissioner of Patents.

thereto w effectA 

